At the risk of sounding redundant, I'll say it again: Karen Benjamin and Alan Chapman are phenomenal, a unique cabaret duo who specialize in delighting their audiences. We recently caught them at the Ruth B. Shannon Theater at Whittier College - and it was worth the schlep - in spades. Great venue. Great performance. They were joined this evening by the equally phenomenal Jennifer Leitham who arguably is the greatest bassist on the planet. Am I filled with hyperbole? You bet!
The variety of material and styles keep the act fresh and exciting from start to finish. Both in patter, musicianship and vocal performance they broaden their image, their appeal and undoubtedly their audience.
But the reason to go see and hear this duo has less to do with the material than with the exceptional talent of Karen and Alan themselves. Karen commands the stage with her voice, her interpretive skills and her beauty. She has a sound that is calorically rich and establishes her distinctive interpretations that are fully felt, both by her and the audience. Alan is the creative half with his clever riffs on what matters: money, careers, sports and dieting. She and Alan and Jennifer are the kind of fully developed talent that is the power of cabaret.
Like comfortable shoes, Alan Chapman and Karen Benjamin slipped into the Gardenia and blew us away with a combination of old songs, which they performed so freshly we were hearing them with as much joy as the first time, and new ones which concretely confirmed how very talented is this duo. The new material was artfully woven into the familiar so deftly you hardly realized you were caught up in a musical whirlwind. But then never become complacent with a Chapman/Benjamin explosion. There is always something new, always a little off kilter, and tons of the unexpected. This night was no different...
In very sweet harmony, Alan and Karen sang "True Love" with the ring of reality because they surely mean it, and it shows. And, for a topper, no one on this planet dazzles on "Summertime" the way Karen catapults those phenomenal pipes of hers several octaves; it sends shivers up the arms and is quite unbelievable.
The excitement and pure enjoyment generated by this royal couple - he with his background of classical music, opera, and naughty songs; and she with her light opera background, cabaret and glass-shattering soprano - is indescribable...They appear at the Gardenia every few months so do yourselves a favor and don't miss their next appearance - if you can get in!
Although her father never actually told her to "Shut up and Sing!," this opening number resonated with truth as always with Karen Benjamin and Alan Chapman. Their bold approach to songwriting and performing pays off well, as there is nary a false note or pushed moment...there's no need. The material is strong and the talent is there; all they have to do is relax and deliver, and that they do in spades. Karen's scatting on this number was clear and bell-toned, and she really did "zip it, zip it good" (you had to be there!) On "Someone to Watch Over Me," they gave us the thoughtful verse, and ended the song beautifully and originally...
Perhaps most famous for "Everyone Wants to be Sondheim But Me," this Alan Chapman penned send-up still gives me a laugh, as it skewers our holy icon Sondheim like nobody's business, right on target, no internal rhyme or repeated phrase left unturned. This song will be remembered and performed by many for years to come, and that's saying a lot!...
Timely and bold...I've come to expect nothing less from the very topical and savvy Alan Chapman and his sexy and hip chanteuse, Karen Chapman. By the way, her pipes were in great shape on this evening, and she blew my socks off...Karen showed us her star power with her own inimitable version of "Summertime," and like I've said, it was new all over again, no matter how many times you've heard it. Karen has so much talent, it's bursting from her seams, and the Gardenia can hardly contain her on a piece as classic and moving as this.
Such great material paired with excellent musicianship and presence, in an intimate setting. If you haven't caught these two memorable performers, you are really missing out...
Karen Benjamin swept onstage like a friendly whirlwind, blowing kisses and stirring up
excitement at the Gardenia on Saturday night, April 5. She and her
husband, Alan Chapman, are a supremely entertaining duo, replete with very
hip, original material and some favorites and standards that are a joy
to hear. Karen has that "it" factor, that makes her unendingly interesting
to watch, and did I mention her voice? With pipes like these, she
could make it anywhere, but we are lucky to have her in our world here
in Los Angeles...
Most of all, what comes through with both of these performers, is their
love of their craft and their audience...[Alan's original material] is pure gold,
and they sell it well...[It] was hard not to notice that the room was packed, with
audience everywhere, including the entrance jammed with well-wishers and
fans, and with good reason...
Karen gave us a very heartfelt, sincere and stripped bare rendition
of "How Deep Is the Ocean," and at the tail end, after a begged-for encore,
she gifted us with a timely "Count Your Blessings," reaching out to her
audience ever so bravely in these scary times. She then gave in
to a request, and sang "Summertime," and it was sensational. I'm
not sure I ever truly understood the lyrics until she drew them out with
such vocal dexterity and meaning. I have to say it was the most satisfying
piece of the evening, and a great way to end a phenomenal show. What
can you say about two people who epitomize show biz talent and cabaret
class? Go see them yourselves, again and again.,
"...This award-winning couple were singing to each other. With Karen's soaring soprano ricocheting off the rafters and Alan's flying fingers, they sing of love. They are in love. They convey their love to us. Her voice is simply amazing and Alan's playing is so smooth that the music just flowed. We left lighthearted and happy. What a perfectly wonderful program for a perfectly wonderful evening.
"Alan and Karen are a multi-talented dynamic duo who are at the top of
the cabaret heap oozing flair and professionally attuned to each other.
Even a glitch in the performance (watch the water, Karen!) was treated
so smoothly and cutely, we thought it was scripted. If you hear or
read that they are presenting a program, run, don't walk, to the nearest
ticket office! They are never to be missed."
"In a wise programming choice, [conductor] Kahane invited cabaret singers Karen Benjamin and Alan Chapman of Los Angeles to perform some of Gershwin's most beloved songs - from 'Summertime' to 'Somebody Loves Me' - for the heart of the show.
"The husband-and wife duo was able to magically shrink the cavernous hall down to an intimate venue with their relaxed humor and from-the-gut singing style...
"Chapman's polished and understated piano playing complemented the fluid voice of Benjamin whose exquisite tone and control reached a dramatic apex during the wistful 'They Can't Take That Away From Me.'
Dustin Hoffman didn't want any boring speeches. So how could they thank the contributors to the $15 million project? The answer was a song by Alan Chapman.